Running As A Hobby; Is It Good? How To Start?

People attempt to stay healthy in many ways. Exercises are one of the best and most practical ways to be in good health. So, what about running as a hobby? Is it a good hobby? How to start running as a hobby? Let’s find out today!

As most of us are busy with our daily routines, sometimes it is hard to specifically spare time to go to a gym and engage in exercises, and this is why people often do running as a mode of exercise.

Running is a time and cost-effective exercise that anyone can follow. However, running is not just an exercise or a sport; it is also a great hobby. This article is all about pursuing running as a hobby. Read through to understand every essential thing you should know about this topic. 

Running is undoubtedly a productive way to spend your leisure time. However, if you do running as a hobby, you must do it correctly. A hobby is something vital in your life because you follow it consistently.

Therefore you must make sure no matter what your hobby is; you do it precisely. Running helps you to spend your free time in a better way, and it also gives you numerous other benefits. 

The end goal of any hobby is to make you feel happy and relaxed. Lots of people do running because they believe it helps them to stay healthy and fit, and it does.

People have different opinions regarding running. Some consider it a sport, some a method of exercise, but running is not limited to that. If you do it correctly, running will be one of the best hobbies to have.

So let’s get to know why running is a good hobby, and if you are interested in running, how can you turn it into a hobby? 

Is running a sport or a hobby?

Is running a sport? Or is it a hobby? This is one of the common confusions regarding running. Running is a sport, so is a hobby.

Depending on the context, you can consider running either as a sport or as a hobby. 

Running is an accepted sport worldwide, and many athletes professionally practice it. Most of the time, running seems less complicated than several other sports. However, pursuing running as a sport can be more complex than we observe at the surface level.

Moreover, running fulfills the prerequisites to be considered a sport. A sport must involve physical engagement, a degree of skills, fixed rules and regulations, and competitive nature.

Running has all those mentioned characteristics; therefore, it can be considered a formal sport. Just like in any other physical sport, bodily excretion is mandatory for running.

You might think running doesn’t require any specific skills, but it does. To become good at running, one needs to master skills such as durability, flexibility, agility, power, endurance, etc.

Furthermore, running as a sport is bounded by rules and regulations set through formal bodies such as the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races. As a result, running has become a globally recognized track sport. 

What’s good about running is although it technically is a sport, you do not have to be an athlete to follow it. You can run for fun, as an exercise also can turn it into a hobby.

As already mentioned, people pursue hobbies to make themselves content. A hobby can benefit you in many ways. If we keep the sport aspect aside, running is an easy activity anyone could do, yet a very beneficial hobby that is worthwhile doing. 

When did running become a hobby?

Running as a sport has a considerable history to it. However, it is hard to trace when it became a hobby precisely. Running came out of the formal sports shell and has been pursued by many as a fun and fitness activity since the mid-1900s.

The reputed running coach Bill Bowerman was the first to bring up the concept of jogging, which soon became a famous activity in the United States.

Bowman’s urge to make more people pursue running as a casual activity was later backed by many other professionals, and running as a hobby became popular in the 1970s. 

Why is running the best hobby?

Wonder why running is one of the best hobbies? There are many reasons for it. Running is often considered a versatile hobby.

When selecting a hobby, you should pay attention to your desires; however, it is also essential that they align with the time you have and the money you can spend.

Some hobbies require a considerable amount of time and cost to continue, so some people could find them perplexing. Running is both time and cost-effective, so many find it a convenient hobby.

Another significant benefit of running is its contribution to your health. Hobbies help us to feel less stressed and happier. You are mistaken if you think running is not fun.

Running is an exciting activity that can fix one’s mood. Not just that, it also makes you healthier physically as well as mentally. A healthy life always leads you to a happy life.

If you do running as your hobby, you will get to spend your free time productively and improve your overall health. Considering all these benefits, it is evident why running tends to be the best hobby.

Is running a cheap hobby?

As mentioned before, if running is your hobby, it automatically fulfills your everyday exercise needs. Going to a gym and exercising can be expensive; therefore, not everyone can afford it.

However, running is an incredibly cheap hobby that anyone can afford to do. Some people would prefer running on treadmills, but having one is not a must for you to continue running as your hobby.

You can run on a track, jogging path, or even in your neighborhood, which helps you save a lot of money. There are plenty of sports one can follow as a hobby, but most can be costly.

However, running, compared to many other sports, is cheap. Therefore, anyone can do it. 

Why do people enjoy running?

You might only understand why people enjoy running if you do it yourself. Most of the time, people run to lose weight and maintain good health.

Running helps you to achieve those goals, but running is not just a physical activity. If you follow it as a hobby, you can witness both the physical and psychological benefits of running.

Running improves your health, helps you focus, allows you to meet friends, be socially engaging, and makes you energetic and feel positive about yourself.

So when you go for a run, you can let go of your troubles for a while and set yourself free. Consistently practicing this makes you happy, and you will definitely enjoy running. 

How to start running as a hobby?

If you need to start running as a hobby, it is crucial to do it correctly. What exactly does it mean to do it the correct way?

Below you can find a general guide on how you can commence running as a hobby.

• Start things slow 

The first and most crucial thing to remember is to start things at a slower pace. Do not rush to run for miles till you are exhausted.

Start it slow and gradually increase the time as you get the hang of it. For beginners, it is usually recommended to keep the daily runs for a maximum of 15 to 20 minutes. 

• Follow proper techniques and a training plan  

Running is a hobby that requires physical engagement. Therefore you must follow the appropriate mechanisms.

Since this makes you physically active, make sure to warm up yourself before the running session and cool yourself down afterward.

It is always better to do running according to a plan, meaning you do not have to run every day just because it is your hobby. You can pick three to four days per week and do it.

Remember that it is okay to take breaks in between.

• Stay hydrated 

When you run regularly, drinking plenty of water and keeping yourself hydrated is mandatory.

You can choose any convenient time to go for a run, but you should never do it soon after your meals; however, you must drink water because hydration is crucial.

The amount of water you should take before, during, and after the run varies according to the length of your run. 

• Track the progress 

If you do running as a hobby, track your progress with time. If you need to keep up your interest in this hobby, tracking your progress is essential as it helps motivate you.

You can use tracking tools specifically designed for runners and see how much the hobby has benefited you.

Final thoughts 

In this article, we discussed pursuing running as a hobby. Running is not just a sport; it is a versatile hobby for many reasons.

Running can fix your mood, make you feel better, and, most importantly, make you healthier.

So, running is one of the best and most meaningful hobbies to follow if you do it correctly and get the hang of it. Stay with us for more interesting posts about hobbies.